He claimed that after telling schools and sixth form colleges how much funding they would receive next year for teaching 16 to 18-year-olds, the Learning and Skills Council changed its mind and has now cut budgets across the UK by up to £350,000 for sixth form colleges and £55,000 for schools.

He said this ‘catastrophe’ comes just weeks after the Government froze 144 further education college building projects, including some in Cheshire.

Mr Evans said: “Just a month after reassuring schools that they would be fully funded, the Government has pulled the rug from under their feet.

“Further education colleges have also been plunged into financial turmoil by having their building projects frozen.”